11.10.2024 14:00
Bristol University student Sofia Alonso-Mossinger (18) was shocked when she found a scorpion in her online order. Her roommate, Oliver James, caught the scorpion and put it in a box. The National Reptile Welfare Centre identified the species as Olivierus martensii. This incident highlighted the need to review e-commerce and shipping safety. Shein is investigating the case. The occurrence of a similar second case in the last month has raised concerns.
18-year-old Sofia Alonso-Mossinger, a student at the University of Bristol, experienced a major shock in her life when she opened the boots she ordered from a popular website and found a scorpion in the box.
Sofia, who screamed in fear, immediately asked her roommates for help. Zoology student Oliver James caught the scorpion with kitchen tongs and placed it in a Tupperware container. The students, unsure of what to do, first made holes in the container and gave the scorpion some water.
The students then called the National Centre for Reptile Welfare (NCRW). NCRW expert Chris Newman explained that the scorpion was of the species Olivierus martensii, also known as the Chinese scorpion. Newman noted that while the sting of this species generally does not pose a life-threatening risk to adults, it can cause serious discomfort.
Speaking after the incident, Sofia said, "I thought I was dreaming. Although I am fine with spiders, seeing a random scorpion in my room was terrifying." Her roommate Phoebe Hunt mentioned that they initially considered killing the scorpion but decided to find a more humane solution.
NCRW emphasized that this was the second scorpion case reported in a similar manner within the last month, and the situation is concerning.
This incident once again raised the issue of the need to review safety measures in international e-commerce and shipping processes.